City Comptroller Brad Lander Challenges Mayor Adams in 2025 Primary Election
City Comptroller Brad Lander has officially announced his candidacy to challenge Mayor Adams in next year’s primary election, setting the stage for a high-profile showdown among elected officials in New York City. Lander, a progressive Democrat, has been critical of the more moderate mayor and cited concerns about the city’s quality of life under Adams’s leadership.
Lander’s Criticisms of Mayor Adams
In a recent interview, Lander accused Mayor Adams of engaging in a “phony budget dance” with the City Council, resulting in cuts to funding for essential city agencies like the parks department and public library system. Lander emphasized the importance of improving services for New Yorkers and highlighted issues such as keeping libraries open and reducing childcare costs, areas where he believes Adams has fallen short.
Moreover, Lander took aim at Adams’s slogan of “getting the job done,” arguing that the mayor has failed to deliver on key promises that matter to the residents of New York City. These criticisms form the basis of Lander’s campaign platform as he seeks to unseat the incumbent mayor.
The Political Landscape and Campaign Strategy
As Lander enters the 2025 race, he faces potential competition from other candidates, including former Auditor General Scott Stringer and Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie. Speculation also surrounds the possible candidacy of figures like former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Queens State Senator Jessica Ramos.
Despite facing multiple primary challenges, Mayor Adams maintains a significant fundraising advantage over his competitors. Adams has raised over $3 million for his re-election campaign and enjoys support from the city’s main unions. In contrast, Lander has a much smaller campaign fund but remains confident in his ability to reach the necessary fundraising threshold with public matching funds.
Lander’s decision to challenge Mayor Adams stems from both ideological differences and personal conflicts between the two officials. As comptroller, Lander has been vocal in his criticisms of the mayor’s policies and actions, further deepening their political rivalry.
In his campaign, Lander aims to not only present a progressive alternative to Mayor Adams but also to address the shortcomings he sees in the current administration’s approach to governance. With the 2025 primary election on the horizon, the stage is set for a highly competitive and closely watched contest for the leadership of New York City.
